November calendar of events

The Phil Galleries. Continuing through Nov. 16: Karsh Portraits: Legends, offering photographic portraits by the late master of the art. Information: 597-1900.

Von Liebig Art Center. Continuing through Nov. 22: the Florida Visual Art Fellowships 25th Anniversary Exhibition and A Cuban Experience: Photographs of Cuba, 2002. Information: 262-6517.

Gallery Victoria. Continuing through Nov. 24 is the gallery's second anniversary celebration, featuring gallery artists including Margarita Deleuze, Lee Dowling, Joan Dunkle, Lynn Loscutoff, Amos Miller, Michael O'Malley, Kami Shvil, Karen Stone, Greg Stuart and Catherine Wolfe. An exhibition of contemporary stone sculptures continues as well. Information: 649-4300.

Davis/Keil fine art. Continuing on view this month: Collaborations 2: Durham Press, featuring artists Polly Apfelbaum, Tom Slaughter, Ray Charles White, Beatriz Milhazes, Roland Fischer, James Nares and Leslie Wayne. Information: 775-3200.

Cape Coral Arts Studio. Classical Glass, on view through Nov. 26, demonstrates the diversity of work in this medium; a reception is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 7. Also this month: the SW Florida Craft Guild presents its Fine Craft Bash, a full day of workshops, Nov. 8; and Holly Daze, an annual art sale offering work from studio faculty and students, Nov. 14-17. Information: 574-0802.

Naples Museum of Art. The first full-scale retrospective of abstract expressionist master Hans Hofmann in many years opens Nov. 1 to run through March 21, offering 70 paintings from Hofmann's 50-year career. Guest curator Karen Wilkin discusses the artist and his work at 10 a.m. Nov. 6. Information: 597-1900.

West Wing Gallery. Showing this month in the Naples Branch Library's space: oils by Robert C. Carr. Information: 262-8135.

Aboriginals Art of the First Person. The Sanibel gallery once more offers Nativity scenes, from the pueblos of the Southwest and from Africa, all this month. Information: 395-2200.

Art League of Marco Island. Revel in Material Things, batiks, quilt and basket wall hangings, paper collage and weavings, from Nov. 2-26. Information: 394-4221.

Art League of Bonita Springs Center for the Arts. The Faculty/Student Show opens with a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 and runs through Nov. 20. Information: 495-8989.

Shaw Gallery. The gallery's 14th annual fall opening features new works by all of its artists, with a reception planned for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Information: 261-7828.

Lee County Alliance for the Arts. Ornaments: Artists Do Jewelry is on view here Nov. 7-14, followed by a show of painted furniture in the Frizzell Gallery and works by Ralph LaVigne in the Member Gallery, Nov. 14-Jan. 5. And a special Walk through the Arts, an indoor/outdoor fair, is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22. Information: 939-2787.

Marianne Friedland Gallery. Fall Splendor, an exhibition of paintings and works on paper by Wolf Kahn, Esteban Vicente, Jules Olitski, Janet Fish, Milton Avery, Russell Drisch and Barker Fairley, opens Nov. 10 and continues through Nov. 30 at the Broad Avenue gallery. Information: 262-3484.

David Hoolahan's Warehouse. Four contemporary artists create a New York-style gallery exhibition in Naples of 70 works Nov. 21 and 22, with an opening reception Friday from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Information: 593-5803.

Naples Botanical Garden. Art in the Garden II features the work of 10 local artists, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23. Information: 542-3619.

DeBruyne Fine Art. Paradise Revisited offers a look at Southwest Florida through the eyes of nine of the gallery's most popular artists, opening Nov. 29. Information: 262-4551.

The Weatherburn Gallery. New Works, 2004 Season, presents new works by artists new to the gallery, including Russian painter Andrei Kriuchenko, American impressionist Sam Barber, American realist landscape painter Kent Sullivan and two realist sculptors. Opening Nov. 29 for a two-week run. Information: 263-8008.

Benefits

Elephant Fest. An event at Caribbean Gardens, The Zoo in Naples, to benefit the Alzheimer's Support Network. Food, music and animal exhibits, from 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets $25; call 262-8388.

Celebrate the Arts Gala. The United Arts Council kicks off a month-long celebration with this casual dinner-auction, complete with entertainment, Nov. 1 at Moss Hall, Moorings Presbyterian Church. For ticket info, call 263-8242.

'60s Ungala. Relive that crazy decade at this fund raiser for United Way of Collier County, Nov. 1 at Naples Bath and Tennis Club. Tickets $150 each; call 261-7112.

A Magical Renaissance Knight Gala. Details were still being worked out at press time, but this event to benefit the Southwest Florida Symphony Society is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 6; call 541-3182 for ticket info.

Collier Pregnancy Center (CPC) Benefit Banquet. An evening to support the center, slated for 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Registry. Tickets $250 each; call 263-1142.

S.S. Hope-Cruising the Italian Riviera. Expect a Riviera rendezvous at this party to benefit the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, Nov. 8 at Gulf Harbour Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. For ticket info, call 437-1840.

NCH Hospital Ball. Another healthcare-related party, this one a glamorous evening running from 6 p.m. to midnight Nov. 8 at The Ritz-Carlton. Tickets $315 each; call 436-4511.

Gateway to the Everglades. Naples Botanical Garden is the setting and the beneficiary of this two-pronged event, one a dinner-auction-dance starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 13 and the other a luncheon with guest speakers and demonstrations, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14. Tickets are $325 each; call 643-7275.

Take Stock in Children Auction. Help raise funds to benefit the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools' Take Stock scholarship program, at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Royal Palm Yacht Club in Fort Myers. For ticket information, call 337-0433.

American Red Cross Humanitarian Evening of Honor. An area giver and doer will be celebrated at this event, Nov. 15 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. Tickets $125 each; call 278-3401.

Starlight Auction for the Animals: Tails of the High Sea. For animal lovers and the Animal Refuge Center. The evening begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort; tickets $40 each. Call 418-1542.

Un Banchetto Regale. An Italian-flavored evening-no surprise-for the Italian Cultural Society, at 5 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Club at the Strand in Naples. Tickets $250 each; call 262-6594.

Night of the Stars. Come as your favorite Hollywood star or casual if you prefer to Prudential Florida WCI Realty's second annual reverse raffle and silent auction to benefit the Sunshine Kids, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 15 at Pelican Marsh Country Club. Tickets are $100 each. Call 659-3303.

Angel Ball: The Beach Ball. The glittering annual event for the Community School of Naples, set for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Registry. Tickets are $900 per couple; call 597-7575, ext. 455.

Children

The Little Dragon. A "Tales & Scales Musictale," about a captive dragon who learns to believe in himself when he's befriended by a little girl. Onstage at 9:45 and 11:45 a.m. Nov. 3 and 4 in the Phil's Daniels Pavilion. Information: 597-0670.

The Summer of the Swans. A heartwarming story of a teen-age girl and her family, including a brother with special needs. Based on the Newbery Medal-winning book. At 9:45 and 11:45 a.m. Nov. 4 and 5 in the Phil's Hayes Hall. Information: 597-0670.

Comedy

Gallagher. The comedian-turned-gubernatorial candidate brings his freewheeling routines to the Barbara B. Mann, at 8 p.m. Nov. 14. Information: 481-4849.

Dance

Barrage. The music and dance sensation featuring nine fiddlers, a drummer, bassist and percussionist returns with a new show, Vagabond Tales, which follows the adventures of a musical traveler and his troupe. Onstage at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Phil. Information: 597-1900.

Miami City Ballet: The Nutcracker. Balanchine's version of the classic ballet returns to the Phil, at 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 29 and at 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 30. Information: 597-1900.

Film

Marco Island Film Festival. The sixth annual film fest moves from October to November, with a host of new independent films, celebrity parties, the opening night Sandals and Cinema film screening on the beach, and lots more, Nov. 5-9. Information: 642-3378.

The Movie Club. Find out what professor Elaine Newton has to say about the latest movies, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Phil's Daniels Pavilion. Information: 597-1900.

Miscellaneous

Old Florida Festival. Explore Florida's unique history through demonstrations, re-enactments and more, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 at the Collier County Museum. Information: 774-8476.

Taste of the Town. You can enjoy the finest in area food Nov. 2 when the Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Junior League of Fort Myers take over Fort Myers' Centennial Park to raise funds to help feed the hungry. There'll be live music, kids' entertainment and tastes from more than 40 local restaurants, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: 334-7007 or 277-1197.

Evening on Fifth. Stroll Naples' downtown amid live music and more, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 13. Information: 435-3742.

Building for Babies. Elaborate kid-sized playhouses, designed and constructed by local builders, will be on display at the Bell Tower Shops from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13. Tickets are $10 each or $35 for a family four-pack. On Dec. 6, the playhouses will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the March of Dimes. Information: 433-3463.

Festival of Trees. Once again the Philharmonic Center is bedecked and dazzling with dozens of trees, wreaths and other holiday treasures, Nov. 22-27. Among the treats in store: the Evergreen Express, a giant tree of running model trains; a gift boutique; and a Family Day (Nov. 23) that offers magicians, balloon art and Santa's arrival by fire engine. The event is kicked off with an opening night gala from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 20. For more information about the festival, call 597-1900; for gala tickets, 597-0652.